FORMER rocker Gary Glitter went on trial today on charges of molesting two under-age Vietnamese girls.

Entering the closed courtroom, Glitter made a two-fingered victory sign and said only one word: "Innocent".

The former glam rocker has been accused of committing obscene acts with a 10-year-old and 11-year-old at his rented house in the city of Vung Tau last year.

Glitter, who has denied the allegations, faces three to seven years in prison if he is convicted.

The 61-year-old, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, has been held at Phuoc Co prison since November. His trial is closed to the public, but the verdict will be read publicly tomorrow.

'Innocent'

Glitter was escorted out of the court for a lunch break after three-and-a-half hours and reporters outside shouted two questions: "Are the girls lying?" and "Did you plead innocent?" He nodded in response to both questions. The trial was to resume later today.

His attorney, Le Thanh Kinh, said yesterday that Glitter maintained his innocence.

"He says he has not committed any crime," Kinh said. "I will do my best to defend him," though he added it will be "very difficult".

Glitter has said he was teaching the girls English at his home and considered them "like his grandchildren".

He has been in police custody since November 19, when he was seized in Ho Chi Minh City trying to board a flight out of the country. Police confiscated his laptop, which had hundreds of pornographic pictures on it.

Police had considered whether to charge Glitter with child rape, which carries a maximum penalty of death, but said they did not find enough evidence.